Call for roadside memorials

Roadside tributes will be removed if they are allowed to decay

A council's decision to remove roadside floral tributes has prompted a call for permanent memorials.

Wakefield Council wants to remove the tributes to road accident victims if they are left unreplaced and wilting after a "respectful" period.

But the group Road Peace, a support network for people bereaved or injured in road crashes, says people in other countries build permanent memorials at the site of fatal accidents.

Brigitte Chaudhry, the national secretary of the group told BBC News Online: "I can see what they are saying, if it is a bunch of decaying flowers on a lamp post that's not very nice.

"But would they remove photos together with the flowers? That's when perhaps it's not quite right, people return to the spot.

We have to look at issues such as maintenance and public safety that could arise as the years progress Allan Smith, Wakefield Council

"On country roads people sometimes plant flowers. Would they cut those down?

"We are interested in supporting roadside memorials, we agree with removing unsightly decaying flowers, but would like to see a permanent reminder.

"There are lots of religious memorials such as little altars at the roadside across other countries.

"They wouldn't distract drivers any more than the lots of street clutter already there advertising, for example, car boot sales."

Wakefield council's environment manager Allan Smith said: "The council does not prevent people placing flowers at the roadside if they want to do so.

"We acknowledge the widely-used practice of placing floral tributes at the roadside and would remove these only after a very respectful period.

"We felt there was a need for a formal policy after being approached for permission to erect a permanent memorial after one fatal accident in the district.

"We have to look at issues such as maintenance and public safety that could arise as the years progress.

"Relatives who erect permanent memorials may leave the district or themselves die, leaving memorials untended or liable to fall into disrepair."